If you are looking for an inspiring cultural experience in San Francisco this summer, make sure to visit the International Art Museum of America. Their newest exhibition, Eastern Charm Awakens: Where Art Meets Silk, offers a breathtaking look at creativity, tradition, and the powerful bond between mother and daughter.
Exhibition Dates: July 18 – August 2, 2026
Location: International Art Museum of America, San Francisco
A Unique Mother-Daughter Collaboration
At the heart of Eastern Charm Awakens is a rare and extraordinary creative dialogue between Yuan Yuan (Rebecca) Xu and her daughter, Angela Tse.
Despite being only 10 years old, Angela is an exceptional talent whose detailed Chinese brush paintings capture depth, beauty, and traditional technique far beyond her years. Inspired by her daughter’s artwork, Xu Yuan Yuan—a multitalented, interdisciplinary fashion designer—has translated Angela’s painted brushstrokes directly into intricate, wearable fashion.
Walking through the gallery, visitors are treated to a dynamic side-by-side experience:
Traditional Chinese Aesthetics: Angela’s fine brushwork grounds the exhibit in rich cultural heritage.
Contemporary Fashion: Yuan Yuan’s garments take elements, motifs, and colors from those paintings, turning two-dimensional art into fluid movement, luxurious textures, and living forms.
This seamless blend transforms static artwork into a tactile, lived experience—showing how ancient artistic traditions can continually inspire modern design.
Whether you are a lover of fine arts, fashion design, or simply looking to experience a touching story of intergenerational talent, Eastern Charm Awakens is not to be missed.
Be sure to stop by before August 2, 2026, to immerse yourself in this magical synthesis of silk, ink, and vision!
The International Art Museum of America has been named Best Museum and Best Art Gallery in SFGATE’s Best of Bay Area 2026, as well as a finalist for Best Event Space/Venue. The museum itself is well worth a visit anytime.
Artworks of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III and Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang enable the next generation to comprehend the essence of art from different cultures
SAN FRANCISCO – On November 2,2019 the Provost of the New York Academy of Art, Peter Drake, led 15 Master’s students to the International Art Museum of America (IAMA) in San Francisco and conducted a class on site. When the group was copying original works of world class artists such as those of His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III and Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, they praised the art profusely.
Matthew Kuan, the President of the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco, welcomed the visiting group. Loretta Huang, Director of Museum Operations, and staff introduced artworks in each gallery to the visitors. The President of World Journal San Francisco Ken Lo came to meet members of the group including Peter Drake. Lo also acclaimed the Museum’s collection and exhibition program.
Provost of the New York Art Academy Peter Drake gave instructions to Master’s students about how to copy the artworks
Drake had visited the International Art Museum of America before and was amazed by the artworks exhibited there. In this trip, he personally led 15 students to study the artworks by copying them. He said that this was the first time these students had ever been to the IAMA in San Francisco.
Amy Hughes is a Master’s student from the U.K. and has been living and studying in New York for five years. She specializes in the study of oil painting. She said that this visit had enabled her to truly comprehend the essence of art from different cultures. She is especially impressed by the expansiveness and profundity of Han Chinese culture.
Dongqin Fang is a 2019 Master’s degree graduate and a teaching assistant at the New York Academy of Art specializing in oil painting and sculpture. He expressed being truly shocked by the large number of original paintings by top Chinese artists at the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco, and that he has gained a lot from being there. He said this is also the first time he ever looked at Yun sculptures created by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III at a close distance. To him, those sculptures exude a mystique that feels like “heavenly bliss.”
The Provost of the New York Art Academy PeterDrake lead Master’s students to copy the art exhibits; the group is deeply impressed by the exquisite artworks in the International Art Museum of America.They took a group photo in front of the painting Misty Appeal of a Dilapidated Pond.
Out of approximately 250 artworks exhibited in the International Art Museum of America, more than 100 of them are on loan from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III whose works have repeatedly achieved the highest prices at art auctions, beyond those ever reached by any living artists.
The art pieces that caught everyone’s attention are the rare world treasures of Yun sculptures exhibited in the Treasure Room, including A Pillar Holding Up Heaven, and another work esteemed to be “miraculously divine artistry of Buddha” within which mist was carved to become an actual part of the artwork. Yun sculpture is uniquely originated by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. It embodies a multi-dimensional sense of space; its beauty transcends natural scenery, and its colors are more exquisite than those of natural rock formations. Inside the stone cave of the Yun sculpture, one can see richly magnificent colors as if they were intrinsically part of the art, with no trace of rendering. From the carving knife comes the melting cave with enigmatic and miraculous scenery. Auspicious clouds and natural mist float inside the melting cave of the artwork and do not dissipate, exuding the sense of an otherworldly paradise.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III originated 16 unique and unprecedented painting styles. Exquisite works of art created by His Holiness the Buddha capture the quintessence of art and culture. They encompass Chinese ink painting, Western oil painting, sculpture, calligraphy, stone and bronze inscription, poetry, verse, song, ode, colorfully painted tile and other media. In His Holiness’s paintings, subject matters include landscape, flower, bird, animal, fish, insect, and human figures. The range of profound techniques include traditional Chinese painting methods such as meticulous style, freestyle, and ink wash; as well as Western painting styles such as figurative, abstract, impressionist, and line drawing.
Recently, when paintings of Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang were exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris, they stunned the European art world. Professor Wang’s art has attained the highest state of artistry and accomplishment. Experts in the field of art all held her paintings in high esteem. One of Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang’s small paintings Pomegranates in a Basket realized a top auction price of US$1.27 million in the Spring auction at the Gianguan Auction House in New York on March 13 of this year. It clearly shows that the art of Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang is recognized by art collectors and people of foresight alike.
Loretta Huang, Director of Museum Operations at the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco said that levels of artistic creation in painting can be categorized in four classes. First is the Class of Proficiency where one’s sketching skill achieves resemblance of form. Second is the Class of Wonderment in which the paintings are wondrously beautiful. Third is the Class of Divinity where both form and spirit are fully enlivened. Fourth is the Class of Ease where the artist possesses extraordinary skill and is able to paint anything at will to accomplish a magnificent masterpiece. The art of the Honorary Lifetime President of the Museum, Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, is of the Class of Ease, a Class that few Chinese artists have ever achieved. The artistry of Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang is esteemed to be of the same standing as Western painters such as Cezanne and Gauguin.
Loretta Huang said that in addition to exhibiting the art of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Professor Yuhua Shouzhi Wang, the International Art Museum of America also showcases works by renowned artists including Wu Changshuo, Qi Baishi, Huang Binhong, Pan Tianshou, Fu Baoshi, Xu Beihong, Li Keran, Zhang Daqian, Yun Shouping, and others; as well as authentic calligraphic art by the Emperor Yongzheng. What differentiates IAMA from many other museums is the eminence of the artworks it exhibits.
Three musicians by Fu Baoshi
The International Art Museum of America in San Francisco holds three criteria for artworks to be admitted for exhibition: First, the works of the artist must be collected by at least two world famous art museums. Second, the auction price of the artist’s works must exceed US$200,000 per square foot. Third, the artist must have substantial influence or status in the world, such as being director of a museum or provost of an art academy.
Rare Opportunity to Copy Original Artwork, Everyone Puts their Heart and Soul to Study
The Provost of the New York Academy of Art, Peter Drake, led 15 graduate students in a 3-hour Master Class at the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco to study the artworks by copying them on site.
The collection of the International Art Museum of America includes many original artworks. Students and members of the faculty from the New York Academy of Art especially cherished the opportunity to study on site. After everyone toured the Museum, each selected a different ink painting and sketched it in great detail to explore the wondrousness embedded in the brushwork.
The Han Chinese culture goes back to an ancient origin and will continues to flourish for a long time. Chinese painting and calligraphy make up a major part of such culture. There is a big difference between appreciating and copying art. Appreciating is skimming the surface; only through copying can one engage in an in-depth study of the works.
Qindong Fang, a student of Chinese ethnicity, said it awed him that some of his fellow American students could actually copy Chinese calligraphy, and Museum staff members of different ethnicities could even read what they copied. Through copying, he said, his fellow students could gain better knowledge of the culture of Chinese painting and calligraphy, and explore in-depth the 16 unique painting styles originated by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III; and this has been a wonderful learning experience.
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I wish I had done that when I was younger”?
It’s an easy trap to fall into. We tend to view adventure as a game for the young—something reserved for twenty-something backpackers or high-energy fitness influencers. We tell ourselves that as we age, our world is supposed to shrink. We swap out rugged trails for comfortable chairs and bold dreams for predictable routines.
But a spectacular new book, “Around the World in 80 Days at 82” by Ellie Hamby, Sandy Hazelip, and Elisa Petrini, completely shatters that illusion.
If you need a reminder that your best chapters haven’t been written yet, this is your wake-up call.
When Ellie Hamby (a documentary photographer) and Sandy Hazelip (a physician) neared their 81st birthdays, they didn’t look for a quiet way to celebrate. Inspired by Jules Verne’s classic tale, they decided to circle the entire globe in 80 days. A minor delay pushed their plans back a year, meaning that at 82 years old, they strapped on a single backpack each and set off into the unknown.
They didn’t book luxury cruise ships or insulated first-class tours. Instead, they traveled on a strict budget, booked modest hotels, took local transportation, and said an enthusiastic “yes” to whatever the world threw at them.
Over the course of nearly three months, they stood among penguins in the freezing winds of Antarctica, rode camels past the Egyptian pyramids, chased the Northern Lights in a reindeer sleigh in Lapland, and navigated the high-speed rush of Tokyo.
1. Nature Doesn’t Care How Old You Are
Whether you are standing before the vast, icy expanse of the Drake Passage or looking up at a desert sky, nature has a beautiful way of making us feel small—and incredibly alive. Ellie and Sandy proved that the awe of a pristine landscape or the thrill of an outdoor challenge belongs to everyone. The earth doesn’t ask for your birth certificate before it takes your breath away.
2. The Power of “Yes” Over “What If”
As we grow older, we tend to let caution dictate our choices. We focus on the “what ifs”—What if I get tired? What if it rains? What if it’s uncomfortable? Ellie and Sandy replaced those doubts with a simple commitment to open-mindedness. By stepping out of their comfort zones, they unlocked a level of vitality that many people half their age struggle to find.
3. Connection is the Greatest Souvenir
While the landscapes they saw were beautiful, the heart of their adventure was human connection. By choosing budget travel and local paths, they interacted deeply with different cultures, made friends worldwide, and relied on the enduring strength of their own lifelong friendship.
You don’t have to book a ticket to Antarctica tomorrow to live adventurously. Infusing your life with wonder starts exactly where you are:
Change Your Scenery: Find a local trail, a state park, or a nature reserve you’ve never visited. Feel the dirt under your shoes and breathe in the fresh air.
Ditch the Comfort Zone: Try a new outdoor activity. Go kayaking, try birdwatching, or sleep under the stars in a tent for a weekend.
Shift Your Mindset: Stop waiting for the “perfect time” or the “perfect age.” The ideal moment to enjoy the majesty of the natural world is right now.
Ellie and Sandy’s journey is a beautiful, vibrant proof that aging isn’t a process of shutting down—it’s an opportunity to keep opening up.
So, what are you waiting for? Step outside, look at the horizon, and remember: Adventure isn’t a matter of age. It’s a state of mind.
Deep within the Himalayan range of Uttarakhand, India, lies one of the most vibrant and mesmerizing sanctuaries on Earth—the Valley of Flowers National Park.
Unlike traditional wildlife safaris, you won’t find lions or elephants roaming here. Instead, this park guards a different kind of wild wonder: a breathtaking ocean of alpine wildflowers that bursts into life for just a few weeks every summer. With over 500 species of high-altitude flowers blooming simultaneously, the entire valley is transformed into a living, breathing canvas of colors—a natural phenomenon that scientists have still not been able to fully replicate or explain.
Perched at an altitude ranging from 3,200 meters to 6,700 meters and stretching across 87 square kilometers, the valley spends most of the year buried under thick snow. But when the winter blues melt away between June and September, the magic happens.
Almost overnight, hundreds of alpine species wake up. Himalayan blue poppies, fiery red rhododendra, golden marigolds, and deep purple gentians carpet the valley floor so densely it looks as though someone spilled a giant bucket of watercolors right into the mountains.
What makes the Valley of Flowers truly extraordinary—and highly elusive—is its erratic blooming schedule. The peak floral explosion lasts for only a few fleeting weeks, and the exact timing and sequence of the blossoms change every single year.
While scientists believe this unpredictable display is tied to shifting snowmelt patterns, temperature changes, and precise humidity levels, they have yet to successfully build a predictive model for it. Local villagers, however, have a much simpler explanation: they believe the valley is a sacred blessing from the mountain gods, far beyond the reach of human science.
The outside world first caught a glimpse of this paradise in the 1930s, thanks to the renowned British botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward. Having explored the rugged Himalayas for decades, Kingdon-Ward finally stepped into the valley in 1939 and was completely awestruck. He later wrote:
“Never have I seen such a dense, such a colorful sea of alpine flowers.”
Mesmerized by its ecological value, he championed its protection. Thanks to his efforts, the Indian government declared it a national park in 1982, and in 2005, it officially became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Planning a journey to this remote Himalayan wonderland requires some preparation. Here is everything you need to know to execute the perfect trip:
🗺️ The Standard 4-Day Trekking Route
Most travelers start their journey from major transit hubs in Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Haridwar, or Rishikesh.
Day 1: The Mountain Drive (Rishikesh/Dehradun to Govindghat): A highly scenic but long 10-to-12-hour drive up winding mountain roads along the Alaknanda River. You will overnight at Govindghat or Joshimath to adjust to the altitude.
Day 2: The Journey to Base Camp (Govindghat to Ghangaria): A short drive takes you to the village of Pulna, where the actual trek begins. From Pulna, you will hike about 9 to 10 kilometers uphill through lush forests and waterfalls to reach Ghangaria, the bustling base camp village.
Day 3: Into the Valley (Ghangaria → Valley of Flowers → Ghangaria): You will head out early to pass the forest checkpoint. The trek from Ghangaria into the valley is about 3.7 to 4 kilometers one-way. Because camping inside the park is strictly prohibited, you must explore during the day and hike back to Ghangaria before evening.
Day 4: The Descent: Hike back down to Pulna/Govindghat and begin your drive back to the lowlands.
⏱️ Park Timings & Rules
Opening Hours: The park gates open daily at 7:00 AM.
Last Entry: The last entry allowed past the forest checkpoint is 12:00 PM, and all visitors must exit the valley by 4:00 PM to allow the ecosystem to rest and ensure safety before dark.
🎫 Permits & Entry Fees
You don’t need to apply months in advance; entry permits are easily obtained on the spot at the Forest Department checkpoint just outside Ghangaria.
Pass Validity: The entry permit is a 3-day pass.
Cost: Around ₹200–₹250 for Indian nationals and ₹650–₹850 for foreign nationals (with nominal fees for each additional day). Be sure to carry a valid government photo ID.
🎒 Packing Essentials
Footwear: Sturdy, broken-in trekking shoes with excellent grip are mandatory—the trails can get incredibly slippery from rain and loose rocks.
Weather Protection: The valley’s blooming season coincides with the Indian monsoon. A high-quality raincoat or a heavy-duty waterproof poncho is essential.
Layer Up: Even during peak summer, temperatures at 3,000+ meters hover around a crisp 10°C (50°F) and can plummet quickly if it rains. Pack thermal layers and windcheaters.
Porters & Mules: If the uphill trek feels daunting, porters and mules can be hired at Pulna to carry your heavy luggage up to Ghangaria. However, mules are not permitted inside the actual Valley of Flowers to protect the terrain, meaning you must be able to walk the final stretch into the flowers yourself!
Have you ever wondered if the tiny, seemingly insignificant kind choices we make in our daily lives actually matter? I used to think of the saying “Do not look down upon a tiny good deed, thinking it is of no use” as just a pleasant piece of ancient moral advice.
That was until a rainy afternoon in May, when a single act of compassion became the only reason my husband and I survived a catastrophic accident.
It was a drizzly May afternoon. My husband and I were driving to the countryside to deliver fresh cherries to my mother. The rain swept gently across the windshield as swallows dipped and glided low over the road. Watching them, I quietly reminded myself to drive slowly—I didn’t want to hurt any of these precious little creatures.
Suddenly, a grey spotted dove appeared right in the middle of the road.
Usually, wild animals will instinctively scatter or fly away when they sense an approaching vehicle. But this dove was different. Even as the shadow of our car drew close, it continued to stroll leisurely along the asphalt, completely unbothered and showing no intention of dodging.
Instead of honking or rushing, I gently pressed the brakes. We sat in silence, waiting patiently as the little bird took its sweet time, ambling step by step toward the roadside. Watching its cute, bobbing silhouette, my husband and I looked at each other and smiled. We shared the same unspoken belief: all living beings are equal, animals are our companions on this Earth, and we must never harm a vulnerable life.
We had no idea that those brief seconds we spent waiting for the dove would save us from absolute disaster.
Shortly after the dove cleared the road, we began driving up a sloping hill. Out of nowhere, a massive, ten-meter-long cargo truck appeared from the opposite direction.
Because of the slick, rain-soaked road, the truck driver hit the brakes too hard. In an instant, the heavy vehicle lost control. The massive trailer began to fishtail violently, swinging outward like an unbroken stallion. The giant iron rear of the truck swept directly into our lane, accompanied by a shower of flying debris and rain. It was a terrifying sight.
Our car is a tiny Wuling Mini EV—lightweight, compact, and fragile. To our left was a steep mountain wall; to our right, a sheer cliff. If that heavy, high-speed truck bed made contact with us, our tiny car would have been instantly crushed and sent hurtling over the edge of the cliff.
I gripped the steering wheel as my mind went completely blank. Beside me, my husband froze in terror. We watched the massive steel wall of the truck sweeping toward us, completely helpless as the cold fear of death enveloped us.
Right at that split second—at the absolute boundary between life and death—something miraculous happened.
The violently fishtailing truck suddenly seemed to correct itself. With a massive lurch, it snapped back into its own lane. Carrying its remaining momentum, the giant vehicle brushed past our car with mere inches to spare, stabilized, and quietly rolled away into the rainy mist.
The heart-stopping crisis had arrived without warning, and it vanished just as miraculously.
For a long time, my husband and I sat frozen in the car. Neither of us could utter a single word. Our hearts hammered violently against our ribs. My palms were drenched in cold sweat, and my legs trembled so hard I couldn’t even press the gas pedal. After what felt like an eternity, we finally turned to look at each other. In our panicked, wide-eyed stares, we both realized just how close we had come to dying.
As the adrenaline began to fade, a profound realization washed over me.
If we hadn’t listened to our hearts and paused for that tiny dove, our car would have traveled just a few dozen meters further up the road. We would have been positioned exactly at the fatal bend at the exact millisecond the truck lost control. There would have been absolutely no way to survive.
That slow, stubborn little dove, in its own unique way, had held us back just long enough to shield us from a catastrophic tragedy.
An ancient proverb says:
“If a person loves kindness, though fortune may not have arrived yet, disaster is already far away.”
Experiencing this brush with death made me truly understand the depth of those words. Every kind thought we harbor and every gentle deed we perform plants a seed. We may not see them grow immediately, but they accumulate.
The quiet kindness we put out into the world acts like a small, steady lantern in the dark. When we least expect it—when we face unforeseen dangers or find ourselves standing on the edge of an abyss—that accumulated goodwill quietly steps in to protect us, shielding us from the disasters we never saw coming.
All blessings begin with a kind heart. To live with compassion is to carry the greatest shield of all.
When people think of traveling to Guangxi, world-famous destinations like Guilin and Yangshuo immediately come to mind. But tucked away in the northwest of the province lies a hidden, crowd-free water wonderland that is about to become your next obsession: Hechi!
This isn’t Semporna or the Maldives—this is Hechi, a pristine paradise that brings together majestic karst mountains, emerald-green waters, mystical caves, and swirling schools of fish.
If you are looking to escape the summer heat and discover a side of China that most international tourists have never seen, bookmark this ultimate guide to Hechi’s three “divine hidden realms” and start packing!👇
🗺️ Deep Dive: The Three Mystical Water Spots of Hechi
1️⃣ Tian’er: The “Blue Blade” Fish Paddleboarding Drift 🐟
The Vibe: Stepping Into an Animated Fantasy World
The Experience: Imagine paddling down a river nestled between towering karst cliffs, where the water is so still it looks like a sheet of flawless green jade. This is the Hongshui River section in Tian’er. Rent a paddleboard at “Guizhiyuan Mountain Villa” and embark on a breathtaking 12-kilometer drift downstream to the old town pier.The absolute highlight of this journey is crossing the “Blue Blade Fish Storm” point. The Blue Blade fish (Hemiculter leucisculus) is incredibly sensitive to environment and only thrives in ultra-pure, wild waters. When you crumble some bread into the water, the river instantly “comes alive.” Hundreds of shimmering, silver-blue fish will swirl around your paddleboard in a mesmerizing underwater vortex. With the morning sun reflecting off their scales, it genuinely feels like stepping straight into a scene from a fantasy movie.
💰 Cost: Around 150 RMB/day for paddleboard rental (convenient pick-up and drop-off services are available at both the start and end points).
⏰ Best Time: April to October, when the fish are most active. Aim for early morning or just after a rain shower when the water is at its most transparent.
2️⃣ Fengshan: Cruising the Underground “Sea” of Sanmenhai ⛵
The Vibe: A Journey to the Center of the Earth
The Experience: Don’t let the name fool you—while “Hai” means sea, Sanmenhai is actually a spectacular, world-class geological wonder featuring a cluster of massive karst “heavenly windows” (sinkholes formed by the collapse of underground river ceilings). It is the only place in the world where you can board a traditional manual wooden boat and slide through interconnected caves into hidden tiankengs.As your boat glides from the pitch-black cavern into the light, you will be struck by an otherworldly sight. A beam of natural sunlight pierces through the open roof, illuminating the deep subterranean river into a surreal, glowing Tiffany Blue and deep sapphire. Local residents describe it as “a sea within the mountains, with gates upon the sea.” The jaw-dropping contrast of emerging from a dark cave into a hidden world of vibrant turquoise waters and hanging vines is a visual shock you will never forget.
🎫 Tickets: Around 60 RMB (Group rate/Online booking recommended for independent travelers).
⏰ Hours: 08:30 – 17:30 (Last entry at 17:00).
3️⃣ Du’an: Floating on the “Jelly Water” of Jiudun Tianchuang 💧
The Vibe: The Everest of Cave Diving Meets a Healing Crystal Palace
The Experience: Du’an county is home to hundreds of underground river sinkholes, but the Jiudun Tianchuang (Jiudun Heavenly Window) is the crown jewel. Serving as the source of the Chengjiang River, this spot is legendary among global diving communities. Its underwater caves drop down hundreds of meters into a complex, mysterious labyrinth, earning it the title of “The Mount Everest of Underwater Cave Diving.” In fact, global cave diving depth records have been smashed right here.While the depths are a thrilling challenge for professionals, the surface is a gentle, healing fairy tale. The water here possesses an astonishing, glass-like transparency. It looks exactly like a giant bowl of shimmering green jelly. The best way to experience this is by renting a completely transparent paddleboard. As you float, it feels as though you are suspended in mid-air. Looking down, you can see dozens of meters straight to the bottom where lush river weeds wave like silk ribbons in the current. It requires absolutely zero photo filters—any snapshot here is an instant masterpiece.
🎫 Tickets: FREE entry to the area!
💰 Paddleboard Rental: Around 30 RMB/hour, or 50 RMB for 2 hours.
📸 Pro-Tip: Make sure to request a clear/transparent paddleboard for those stunning, weightless aerial-style photos!
🚗 【Essential Travel Tips】
📅 Best Season:May to October. This is the prime time for water activities, and you will also get the chance to see the beautiful, rare Ottelia acuminata (sea-cake flowers) blooming on the water’s surface.
🚘 Getting Around:Self-driving or renting a car is highly recommended. The highways and national roads connecting Tian’er, Fengshan, and Du’an are well-maintained, and the driving routes wind through some of the most stunning, dramatic karst landscapes in China.
🎒 What to Pack: High-SPF sunscreen, quick-dry clothing, and a reliable waterproof bag for your electronics. Keep in mind that the caves can get quite chilly, so bring a light jacket.
🕶️ Secret Weapon: Bring a pair of polarized sunglasses! They cut the glare on the water’s surface entirely, allowing you to see the fish and underwater plants with perfect clarity.
⚠️ Safety First: Always wear your life jacket when paddleboarding! No matter how good of a swimmer you are, safety makes the trip enjoyable.
The beauty of Guangxi goes so much deeper than its famous postcards. Hechi offers a raw, wild, and incredibly pure escape that is hard to find in today’s crowded world. If you want to beat the summer heat, dive into crystal waters, and explore the mysteries of the earth without the crowds—Hechi is calling. 🎒🌿
How long has it been since you truly quieted your mind to listen to a bird’s song or feel the subtle arrival of spring?
When we slow down and face a masterpiece of freehand flower-and-bird ink painting—Su Shi Nao Chun (The Scholar’s Spring) by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III—we find a soothing remedy for the weary soul. With just a few expressive brushstrokes, this painting captures the boundless vitality of early spring. It is not merely a visual feast of fine art; it is a profound spiritual cleansing.
Traditional Chinese ink painting is deeply rooted in the philosophy of “using objects to express one’s will, and borrowing landscapes to convey emotion.” Through the vivid depiction of nature, the artist projects their inner spiritual world and genuine feelings, achieving a sublime state where scene and emotion blend, and the self merges with nature.
The Awakening of Spring: Dialogue in the Willow Branches
Stepping into the world of the painting, what immediately catches your eye and captures your breath is the lively group of birds awakening from their slumber. Facing the spring that has quietly arrived, they chirp and frolic on the branches with joyful abandon.
If you look closely, a bird at the bottom and another at the top right gaze at each other. Their eyes and postures suggest an intimate conversation, as if they are dueting a cheerful folk song, tirelessly spreading the beautiful news of spring’s return.
The artist’s depiction of these birds features exceptionally distinct and precise body language. The fresh, vivid artistic imagery springs to life, showcasing a masterful command of ink and a brilliant compositional mind.
Mastery of Ink: Finding Hope at the Edge of a Cliff
Traditional Chinese painting dictates that “the brush establishes the form and texture, while the ink distinguishes the substantial from the ethereal.” The artistic conception of a piece is born entirely from the movement of brush and ink. The brilliance of Su Shi Nao Chun lies first and foremost in its brushwork.
The lines in this piece are remarkably crisp, rising and falling with an organic, rhythmic tension. Through the controlled weight of pressing and lifting the brush, combined with sudden pauses and sharp turns, the ink gains a raw, powerful, and profound texture.
With simple, concise, and perfectly echoed strokes, the artist wonderfully captures the living dynamism of the willow branches. The entire canvas instantly becomes alive—this aliveness reveals a pure innocence, and it is only through such innocence that true spirituality shines. Once that spirituality emerges, the painting overflows with wit and charm, effortlessly ushering the viewer into a realm of subtle wonder.
This state of effortless, natural creation stems from the artist’s extraordinarily deep spiritual and artistic cultivation. As a master of art, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has dedicated Himself to various forms of painting—including landscapes, figures, flowers, and birds—since youth. His art observes the universe and all living things through the light of Prajna (transcendental wisdom). Moving from the magnificent to the microscopic, the concepts under his brush evolve from the complex to the simple, leaving the ink pure and the brushwork liberated.
His brush often ventures into positions of extreme peril, where the composition seems pushed to a cliff’s edge. Yet, with a sudden, subtle turn of the brush, a whole new horizon opens up—just like the classic Chinese idiom: “Where hills bend and streams wind, the pathway seems blocked; yet past the dark willows and festive flowers, a new village appears.” A fresh, delightful, and breathtaking realm suddenly unfolds.
Flower-and-bird ink painting is not only a vital component of traditional Chinese art holding a significant place in the global artistic landscape, but it is also a symbol of the spiritual character and cultural soul of the Chinese nation.
The philosopher Jonathan Edwards once wrote:
“Spiritual holiness… brings an inexpressible purity, brightness, peacefulness and ravishment to the soul. In other words, that it made the soul like a field or garden of God.”
True works of art possess this exact power—to cultivate the soul and inspire people to look inward at their own spiritual world.
By Malana VanTyler Contributor May 21, 2026, 5:14 p.m. ET
Summer 2026 is the year to go deeper into Croatia than most travelers ever do, reaching destinations and experiences sometimes left under the radar. Most first-timers land in Dubrovnik, work their way up the coast, and leave wondering what they missed. The answer is usually everything inland and everything that does not show up on a standard ten-day package. This itinerary is an insider’s handbook on experiences, locations, and sceneries a seasoned Croatia traveler would recommend. From music festivals and Michelin star restaurants, to vitality islands, medieval stone towns, and 3000-year-old palaces. Croatia is more than just a single destination. There are at least ten distinct ones, and this is where to start.
Drink Wine in a Roman Palace in Split
The journey begins the moment you land in Split, now reachable on a direct flight from New York. Here, waking up inside a Roman emperor’s palace is not history. It is just Tuesday. The palace Diocletian built here in 305 AD became what the city is today. Sipping local wine perched on 1,700-year-old walls is not a novelty here; it is just a Tuesday, and the city is so diverse that there’s something for everyone who visits. From climbing Marjan hill in the morning and afternoons on the waterfront promenade watching the sunset, to staying for the evening when the city shifts into the slow pace that Dalmatians call pomalo. Every island on this itinerary leaves from here, which means Split is not just a stop. It is the center of gravity of the entire Dalmatian coast.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Climb Marjan Hill. Use it as your base for the islands.
Live Island Life at Its Finest in Korčula Town
From Split, a ferry southeast through the Dalmatian islands brings you to Korčula, a medieval town located on a narrow stone peninsula that some historians argue was the birthplace of Marco Polo. Step outside the old town walls and within ten minutes you’ll be met with beaches and coves with some of the clearest water on the Dalmatian coast. The island’s gems are Posip and Grk, two white wines indigenous to the island, with Grk believed to be one of the oldest grape varieties in Croatia. On summer evenings, the Moreska, a sword dance performed here continuously since the 17th century, plays out in the open squares by torchlight. An island that delivers medieval architecture, exceptional wine, and some of the clearest water on the Dalmatian coast, and somehow still hasn’t made it onto everyone’s list. That’s exactly why it’s on this one.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Rent a bike, find a beach, try the Posip.
Experience the Art of the Adriatic Day at Carpe Diem Beach, Hvar
The ferry from Korčula to Hvar takes less than an hour. From Hvar town, a boat across the channel brings you to Carpe Diem Beach, a pine-covered cove in the Pakleni Islands that almost everyone who wants to visit Croatia has on their bucket list. Crystal-clear water, a pool above the open Adriatic, nets suspended over the sea. Arrive in the morning for the stillness of it. By afternoon, the sun is down, the crowd has found its way in, and the cove has become something else entirely. The kitchen runs all day, Mediterranean dishes and fresh sushi from lunch through the long Adriatic evening. As the sun drops over the Pakleni Islands, the energy is at its peak, and this pine-covered cove in the middle of the Adriatic becomes the exact center of the Mediterranean summer.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Get on the first boat from Hvar to enjoy the day to the fullest.
Eat Above the Adriatic with Dinner in the Sky, Dubrovnik
Take a ferry south, and within a few hours, Dubrovnik appears on the horizon. View from a distance is one thing. From fifty meters above the Adriatic, with the old city walls below you and the open sea stretching in every direction, it is something else entirely. Dinner in the Sky puts a dining table up there, with a chef, a three-course menu of Croatian specialties, and a platform that rotates to catch every angle of the coast. The moment it lifts, and the city drops away, is one of those travel experiences that is genuinely difficult to prepare for. The food is serious, the wine is local, and what started as an unlikely concept has quietly become one of the hardest reservations to get on the entire Dalmatian coast. Some experiences build expectation. This one lives up to it.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Book the sunset slot. It sells out weeks in advance.
Claim Your Own Island with Master Charter
After Dubrovnik, the journey north is best made by water. The Croatian archipelago is expansive, which is where the Master Charter comes in. Since 2006, the company has been building bespoke sailing itineraries along the Croatian coast. Their expertise lies in matching small groups to handpicked vessels from a fleet. There’s something for everyone, from traditional wooden gulets to luxury motor sailers and beyond. Several captains own the yacht they sail, a rarity in the charter industry, ensuring every detail of the trip (and the stay) gets the attention it deserves. Sun decks, jacuzzis, water toys, and cabins all come as the finishing touches that make going ashore feel like a step down. Out here, with the right crew and the right vessel, a Master Charter voyage is the difference between seeing Croatia and understanding it.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Book well ahead. The best yachts go early.
Find Yourself on Lošinj, Croatia’s Island of Vitality
Before you know it, the sail brings you to the island of Lošinj. To pine-scented air, clean enough to feel like a treatment in itself. Sea so clear the seabed is visible from the surface. A town where food comes with a philosophy– the Taste of Vitality. Seasonal and nutrient-rich, prepared with wellbeing and health in mind. Mali Lošinj has been doing vitality before it became a lifestyle industry. The island sits in the Kvarner Bay, surrounded by one of the cleanest seas in Europe, and 220 kilometers of hiking and cycling trails through pine forests to hidden coves. Options here are endless. Sail, dive, do SUP yoga at sunrise, or simply sit in the pine forest and breathe. Mali Lošinj is a place where rest, movement, nature, and food work together in perfect balance. An island where vitality comes naturally.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Extend your stay. Come with no agenda.
Dine at a Three Michelin Star Destination at Hotel Grand Park, Rovinj
A short journey away stands the Istrian coast, home of truffles, olives, and wine, with the same seriousness as Tuscany. Rovinj is unique, and Grand Park Hotel Rovinj gives reason to make it a dedicated stop. The hotel sits above the sea at the edge of the Golden Cape forest park, looking out across the Adriatic from one of the finest positions on the Istrian coast. The hotel’s been featured on the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 list, and the dining alone justifies it. Rovinj carries more Michelin stars than any other destination in Croatia, and three of them are inside this hotel: Agli Amici Rovinj holds two, Cap Aureo one. Few hotels in Europe can claim a world-ranked address, three Michelin stars, and a view like this. Grand Park earns every night you give it.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Book a table at one of the Michelin-star restaurants even if you are not staying overnight.
See the Show of the Summer at INmusic Festival, Zagreb
Reaching Zagreb in June means one thing. For twenty years, Lake Jarun has hosted INmusic, and the festival earned its place on the European calendar edition by edition. A lake island inside a capital city. Stages facing the water. The Zagreb skyline in the background. This year’s lineup for the 20th anniversary is the strongest the festival has put together. It’s a true gem– a mix of global headliners and emerging European acts reflecting what INmusic has always been about. An immersive, laid-back escape, whose two decades of cultural weight are hard to overstate. Zagreb takes its summers seriously, and INmusic’s the reason June belongs to the city. Tens of thousands of people gathering on a lake island in the heart of the capital. A lineup that raises the bar every year. Taken together, it makes INmusic one of Europe’s must-visit festivals, shaping the summer cultural calendar.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Find accommodation well in advance or opt for on-site camping.
Walk Across the Water at Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s most visited destinations, and it belongs on every itinerary that touches more than just the coast. Located two hours from Zagreb, this national park covers nearly 300 square kilometers of forested karst terrain. What you see is unique– 16 crystalline lakes connected by more than 90 cascades and waterfalls spill over travertine barriers that have been accumulating for millennia. It’s a perfect weekend getaway with an on-site hotel within the National Park and charming restaurants showcasing the local gourmet specialties. It’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, and for a reason. Plitvice stops people in a way that very few places in Europe still can. The water, the color, the scale of it. Some landscapes simply speak for themselves.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Visit May through September. Book tickets in advance.
Taste the Region at Korak Winery, Plešivica
From Plitvice back to Zagreb, take a detour to Plešivica, a wine region that Croatians have been calling their Champagne for decades, and Korak Winery is the reason to stop. Their philosophy, heritage and authenticity; all bottled into small batches of premium organic wines. Five generations of hands-on family stewardship, and each member takes a hands-on approach. Josip is the enologist. Vera leads the service, awarded Michelin Best Service 2025. Bernard takes charge of the kitchen. What he built goes beyond a winery restaurant. He cooks the land around him, sourcing from local growers, hunters, and foragers as the season dictates, an approach that earned Korak a Michelin Green star alongside its one Michelin star for cuisine. The eight-course tasting menu, paired with estate wines, makes this detour feel like the whole point of the trip.
Seasoned traveler’s advice: Take the winery tour and book the restaurant in advance.
Make It Count
Croatia rewards the traveler who plans ahead. The best restaurants fill up weeks in advance. The national park requires timed entry in summer. The distances are short, the people are welcoming, and a country that runs from the mountains of the interior to the islands of the southern Adriatic can be covered in ten days without feeling rushed. Start in Split. Work your way through the islands, up the coast, through the lakes, and into Zagreb just in time for the most anticipated festival in the region. Croatia has a way of filling every day of a trip and leaving you with a list of reasons to come back.
In the heart of Bohol Island, near the town of Carmen, lies one of the world’s most unusual and enchanting natural wonders — the famous Chocolate Hills.
At first glance, the landscape almost looks unreal.
Spread across the earth are 1,776 nearly symmetrical cone-shaped hills, rising gently one after another like countless giant chocolate candies scattered across a green carpet. Their heights range from about 40 to 120 meters, and together they create one of the most mysterious and dreamlike scenes in nature.
During the rainy season, the hills are covered in lush green grass. But when the dry season arrives, usually between February and May, the intense tropical sun dries the grass into rich shades of brown. From a distance, the hills resemble rows of giant chocolate truffles covering the land — and this is how the Chocolate Hills received their delicious name.
The hills are so remarkably uniform that many visitors find it difficult to believe they were formed naturally. Some have smooth domes, while others appear more cone-shaped, standing side by side like enormous haystacks across the fields.
One especially curious feature is the vegetation. In the tropical climate of the Philippines, nearby mountains are usually covered with thick forests and fast-growing trees. Yet the Chocolate Hills remain mostly covered with grass rather than large trees, likely because the soil layer on the hills is relatively thin. This gives them their smooth, rounded appearance and makes them look even more surreal.
For decades, geologists have debated how these strange hills were formed.
Several scientific theories have been proposed, including limestone weathering, ancient underwater volcanic activity, and the uplift of the ocean floor. One modern theory suggests that millions of years ago, a volcanic eruption scattered huge amounts of rock and ash across the region. These materials were later covered by limestone and eventually pushed upward when the seabed rose, forming the hills we see today.
However, no single explanation has been universally accepted.
The most widely supported geological theory is that Bohol Island slowly rose from the sea long ago, and over thousands of years, rainwater eroded layers of coral, shell deposits, limestone, and clay, gradually shaping the landscape into these extraordinary cone-shaped formations.
Yet science is only part of the story.
Local legends add an even deeper sense of mystery and romance to the Chocolate Hills.
One ancient tale says that two giants fought each other for many days, hurling enormous rocks and boulders across the island. When they finally became exhausted and made peace, they left the island behind — along with the chaotic battlefield that later became the Chocolate Hills.
Another legend is far more tragic and romantic.
According to the story, a giant named Arogo fell deeply in love with a beautiful local woman named Aloya. One day, unable to resist his feelings, he carried her away to his home. But the frightened young woman could not bear the sight of the giant and died suddenly from shock. Heartbroken beyond measure, the giant wept endlessly until he too died of grief. His tears became the Chocolate Hills, while his enormous body transformed into the surrounding mountain ranges.
Perhaps it is precisely because science and legend exist together that the Chocolate Hills feel so magical.
Today, the Chocolate Hills remain one of the Philippines’ most beloved and extraordinary natural landmarks. Standing on the viewing platform and gazing across thousands of rolling chocolate-colored hills stretching all the way to the horizon, visitors often feel as though they have stepped into a fantasy world.
It is both majestic and strangely playful — as if nature itself decided to scatter a thousand giant chocolates across the earth simply to delight the human imagination.
Some paintings do not rely on complexity to move us. With only a few deliberate strokes, they unfold a world full of life. This fresh and tranquil ink painting is one such work. Quiet and unassuming, it reveals a profound artistic tension and depth within simplicity and stillness.
The composition is anchored by three strong yet supple ink lines. Their texture is rich and full, their force penetrating the paper. They resemble trees, yet are not trees—more like structural forms that divide the flat surface into a grid of interwoven spaces. Within these spaces, branches stretch and intersect, while willow-like lines sway gently, creating a rhythmic sense of motion.
What is most remarkable, however, lies in what is not painted.
The empty spaces are far from void; they are charged with meaning. In these areas of intentional absence, the viewer’s imagination is invited to wander. As the saying goes, “where nothing is painted, there lies the true realm of the painting.” The composition, in its entirety, feels almost like a montage—a sequence of visual moments carefully arranged. From this minimal structure emerges a surprisingly rich and intriguing visual experience.
Bringing the scene to life are several mynah birds, rendered in bold, expressive ink. These small creatures become the focal point of the painting.
They are divided into three groups, each occupying different sections of the grid. In a small triangular space near the top, three birds gather closely together. The density of life within such a confined area creates an immediate visual tension. In contrast, a large quadrilateral space in the lower middle is occupied by just a single bird, as if it has claimed the entire openness for itself—perhaps even becoming the quiet center of the composition.
Then there is a particularly playful detail: a bird in the upper right seems to occupy the intersection of four spaces at once. Though not placed at the center, it establishes its own presence, as if declaring that even at the edge, one can still become a focal point.
These birds preen their feathers, tilt their heads, hum softly, and seem to communicate with one another. Bathed in a sense of freshness, they revel in the gentle beauty of spring, fully immersed in a life of ease and freedom. The entire painting begins to resemble a small, self-contained paradise.
This delightful and imaginative work is created by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Art, at its highest level, is not merely a display of technique—it is a reflection of the inner world. A truly great work reveals the artist’s state of mind and spiritual depth.
In this painting, what we witness is not only mastery of brush and ink, but also a sense of calm, freedom, and purity—a state of being that transcends complexity and returns to essence.
The diverse artistic creations of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III stand as enduring treasures of human civilization. And this seemingly simple piece gently reminds us:
In a world of endless complexity, true beauty often resides in simplicity— and true freedom may be found in the space between what is left unpainted.
Peace LiLy 